Evaluation of the effectiveness of the standardized neonatal resuscitation program

To determine if health care personnel trained in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) used the NRP guidelines in the resuscitation of newborn babies. To determine differences between self-reporting and documentation of resuscitation in medical records.

Using a validated questionnaire, individuals participating in resuscitation of newborns voluntarily phoned and answered questions on an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. The study was undertaken in level II hospitals in Southern Alberta with 7500 deliveries per year.

Of the 5155 babies delivered during the study, 16% required resuscitation (bag and mask ventilation 10.6%, intubation for meconium or intermittent positive pressure ventilation, IPPV, 3.6%, cardiac massage, CM, 0.3%, epinephrine 0.1%, naloxone 6.9%). Of babies whose interventions could be assessed, bag and mask was correct in 99%, endotracheal intubation for IPPV in 100%, and CM in 100%. Only 75% of babies had meconium managed correctly and 92% had naloxone administered according to guidelines. There were more instances where IVR (48) reported a procedure, which was not charted versus charted and not reported by IVR (21). Educational needs identified by IVR included skills of resuscitation and NRP indications for management.

Bag and mask ventilation and intubation for neonatal resuscitation are more common than previously reported. Management of the meconium-stained baby and use of naloxone require further education. Compared to charts, use of IVR system allows more complete documentation with rationale of interventions and identification of continuing educational needs.